used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading _Edith was just a computer, but a very good one and a very observing one.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading So it was quite natural that she be consulted about the doctor's murder...._ Ballard was quite dead.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading A long shimmering stream of blood ran half-way across the large room.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading _Edith was just a computer, but a very good one and a very observing one.
Ballard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So it was quite natural that she be consulted about the doctor's murder...._ Ballard was quite dead.
bashedverbUS /bæʃt/
past form of “bash” — hit hard
From this reading He lay sprawled in front of Edith, with his head very messily bashed in and with one hand still extended toward her.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading So it was quite natural that she be consulted about the doctor's murder...._ Ballard was quite dead.
The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.
From this reading A long shimmering stream of blood ran half-way across the large room.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading _Edith was just a computer, but a very good one and a very observing one.
computernounUS /kəmˈpjuːtər/
a machine for performing calculations automatically
From this reading _Edith was just a computer, but a very good one and a very observing one.
consultedverbUS /kənˈsʌltəd/
past form of “consult” — get or ask advice from
From this reading So it was quite natural that she be consulted about the doctor's murder...._ Ballard was quite dead.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading There could be no doubt of it.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading So it was quite natural that she be consulted about the doctor's murder...._ Ballard was quite dead.
doctor'snounUS /ˈdɑːktərz/
possessive form of “doctor” — a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading So it was quite natural that she be consulted about the doctor's murder...._ Ballard was quite dead.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading There could be no doubt of it.
Edith
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Edith was just a computer, but a very good one and a very observing one.
relatively long in duration; tediously protracted
From this reading He lay sprawled in front of Edith, with his head very messily bashed in and with one hand still extended toward her.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading He lay sprawled in front of Edith, with his head very messily bashed in and with one hand still extended toward her.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading _Edith was just a computer, but a very good one and a very observing one.
half-way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A long shimmering stream of blood ran half-way across the large room.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading He lay sprawled in front of Edith, with his head very messily bashed in and with one hand still extended toward her.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He lay sprawled in front of Edith, with his head very messily bashed in and with one hand still extended toward her.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading He lay sprawled in front of Edith, with his head very messily bashed in and with one hand still extended toward her.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He lay sprawled in front of Edith, with his head very messily bashed in and with one hand still extended toward her.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He lay sprawled in front of Edith, with his head very messily bashed in and with one hand still extended toward her.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He lay sprawled in front of Edith, with his head very messily bashed in and with one hand still extended toward her.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading So it was quite natural that she be consulted about the doctor's murder...._ Ballard was quite dead.
and nothing more
From this reading _Edith was just a computer, but a very good one and a very observing one.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A long shimmering stream of blood ran half-way across the large room.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading He lay sprawled in front of Edith, with his head very messily bashed in and with one hand still extended toward her.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading A long shimmering stream of blood ran half-way across the large room.
messilyadverb
in a messy, untidy manner
From this reading He lay sprawled in front of Edith, with his head very messily bashed in and with one hand still extended toward her.
kill intentionally and with premeditation
From this reading So it was quite natural that she be consulted about the doctor's murder...._ Ballard was quite dead.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading So it was quite natural that she be consulted about the doctor's murder...._ Ballard was quite dead.
not any; not one
From this reading There could be no doubt of it.
observingadjectiveUS /əbˈzɜːrvɪŋ/
quick to notice; showing quick and keen perception
From this reading _Edith was just a computer, but a very good one and a very observing one.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There could be no doubt of it.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading _Edith was just a computer, but a very good one and a very observing one.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading So it was quite natural that she be consulted about the doctor's murder...._ Ballard was quite dead.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading A long shimmering stream of blood ran half-way across the large room.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading A long shimmering stream of blood ran half-way across the large room.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading So it was quite natural that she be consulted about the doctor's murder...._ Ballard was quite dead.
shimmeringverbUS /ˈʃɪmərɪŋ/
-ing form of “shimmer” — shine with a weak or fitful light
From this reading A long shimmering stream of blood ran half-way across the large room.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So it was quite natural that she be consulted about the doctor's murder...._ Ballard was quite dead.
sprawledverbUS /sprɔːld/
past form of “sprawl” — sit or lie with one's limbs spread out
From this reading He lay sprawled in front of Edith, with his head very messily bashed in and with one hand still extended toward her.
not in physical motion
From this reading He lay sprawled in front of Edith, with his head very messily bashed in and with one hand still extended toward her.
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading A long shimmering stream of blood ran half-way across the large room.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading So it was quite natural that she be consulted about the doctor's murder...._ Ballard was quite dead.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading So it was quite natural that she be consulted about the doctor's murder...._ Ballard was quite dead.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There could be no doubt of it.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading He lay sprawled in front of Edith, with his head very messily bashed in and with one hand still extended toward her.
precisely as stated
From this reading _Edith was just a computer, but a very good one and a very observing one.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading _Edith was just a computer, but a very good one and a very observing one.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He lay sprawled in front of Edith, with his head very messily bashed in and with one hand still extended toward her.
